Point of Grace Online Worship - March 7, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 3.7.21 Sermon Notes – Letters from Jesus – Lent 2021

The encouragements and admonishments build on one another throughout the seven letters with “forsaking your first love” at the foundation of all sin and human self-destruction.

The answer is always “Repent!” – Surrender to the truth as revealed by Jesus and “love your first love first…”

In the second and third letters Jesus reveals the downward progression that flows from “forsaking your first love”!

To Smyrna He warns of the “fear” that then comes tempting one to “give up” faith and faithfulness to Jesus!

Then He warns Pergamum of what inevitably follows … “giving in” to compromise the truth revealed by Jesus!

Put this image here: https://images.app.goo.gl/NnYmsYRPSzoFktvAA

8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

- Jesus refers to Himself as the rescue for the battle with “fear” they are facing!

- He knows … with compassion … but rescues His way! Does He know what He is doing?

- Focus on the promises … so you don’t “give up” faith and faithfulness to Jesus.

12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

- How does Jesus present Himself?

- Jesus is keenly aware that all of the struggle is really a battle with Satan!

- Jesus warns against “holding to the teaching of Balaam” and the teaching of the Nicolaitans!

When distanced from Him and filled with fear, “giving in” to c___________________ of truth will seem like the best alternative and relatively harmless - Jesus disagrees!

Jesus always, always, always presents a doable path back to Him …… Repent!

This Week’s Prayer Jesus, I love You! I worship You! I trust You! I give myself over to You today! You alone are Life and You have become my Life, My Hope, My Peace and My Love. I renounce all other gods and idols and ask You to take Your rightful place as the One and Only Lord of my life. Thank you for coming to rescue me from my sin, from my self, from the world and the devil. You are my Warrior King, the First and the Last, the One who died and came back to life. You are the source of all Truth! I surrender to You! I give You my “fear and fears” today! (Name and describe any fear you are dealing with.) I call forth the reign of Jesus over all my fear and trust that even if I were to lose all, including my life You still have victory in store for me – a crown of Life! I rejoice in the Life you have given me that nothing and no one can take away! Jesus, I turn to You in this moment and renounce any ways I have given in to compromise with regards to You, Your truth, our relationship and Your calling on my life. Lead me into a true and deep repentance trusting in Your forgiveness. Show me how you are working in my life and lead me into all truth especially where I am vulnerable to fear and compromise – to try to do it my way!

I will follow You today – with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength. You are my victorious Savior and I am Yours!

Amen.

How could a group of people living like this change the world?

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Revelation 2:8-11 Tue – Romans 8: 31-35, 37-39 Wed – Revelation 2:12-17 Thu – Matthew 5:7-12 Fri – 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Sat - Psalm 23:1-6

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading. “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 28, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 2.28.21 Sermon Notes – Letters from Jesus – Lent 2021

What if everyone in our church got a letter from Jesus that said,

“2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. (your first love) 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first…….

This is “loving and leading” Jesus style ...

The encouragements and admonishments build on one another throughout the seven letters with “forsaking your first love” at the foundation of all sin and human self-destruction.

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22

Revelation 1 The revelation (revelatory/unveiling) of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits (seven-fold Spirit) before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

These letters and this book is about Jesus loving us and freeing us to live the meaningful life He intends.

9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

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12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Notice how John gets us ready to understand the imagery that will follow.

Revelation 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. (first love) 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

What might forsaking “loving your first love first” look like? What might “consider how far you have fallen” look like? What might “repent and do the things you did at first” look like?

1 John 4 6 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. …. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,

7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

How could a group of people living like this change the world?

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Revelation 1:1-6 Tue – Revelation 1:7-13, 17-20 Wed – Revelation 2:1-7 Thu – Matthew 22:34-40 Fri – John 15:9-13 Sat - John 12:1-8

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading. “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 21, 2021

Point of Grace Online Worship - February 14, 2021

Point of Grace Online Worship -February 7, 2021

Point of Grace Online Worship 2.7.21

Sermon Notes – “I BELONG … … … to Him, His Church, His Mission” Part 3

I BELONG to Him gives IDENTITY!

I BELONG to His Church gives COMMUNITY!

I BELONG to His Mission gives ______________ !

I BELONG to Him gives IDENTITY!

I BELONG to His Church gives COMMUNITY!

I BELONG to His Mission gives PURPOSE!

We long to BELONG! We try so very hard to find a home for our hearts, a sanctuary for our souls and a purpose for our lives.

What is the meaning of life? Is there more to life than this?

Matthew 4 Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

The invitation of Jesus was to belong to Him, to His band of followers and to His mission in the world.

Peters “admission” into Jesus and His band was also His “commission” as an agent in Jesus’ work.

What is the Mission Jesus is asking us to join Him in?

Matthew 1 21 … you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Luke 19 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

John 3 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— … 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

2 Corinthians 5 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

As a follower of Jesus I GET to join Him every day on His mission to redeem and restore all people to Himself.

This is the mission I BELONG to which gives meaning and purpose to everyday living.

Matthew 5 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Acts 1 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Getting Practical – The I BELONG CHALLENGE

Each Day – I will Read and Pray over the daily scripture reading from the sermon notes. Each Week – I will worship at Point of Grace online or in person. This Year – I will bring at least one person to Alpha in 2021. We get to pray for many and invite several to bring one.

A Prayer of BELONGING

Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in You, to be renewed in You! I need union with You! Father, I BELONG to You! Jesus, I BELONG to You! Holy Spirit, I BELONG to You! I now confess and proclaim that if I BELONG to You Jesus then I BELONG to Your Church! I also now boldly proclaim that I BELONG to Your Mission. I have a vital role to play in your mission to redeem and restore people back to YOU to where they BELONG. I join You today Jesus on Your Mission. I get to be radically available to bring some good news and some good deeds where to people who need the good You bring. Get to use my words and my deeds for Your Purpose. Hallelujah…. I am so excited!

Amen

How could a group of people living like this change the world?

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 4:17-25 Tue – Luke 9:1-10 Wed – Matthew 5:13-16 Thu – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Fri – Acts 1:1-9 Sat - John 10:10-16

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

New Book Recommendation from Pastor Weiser, “Joining Jesus On His Mission” by Greg Finke

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 31, 2021

Point of Grace Online Worship 1.31.21

Sermon Notes – “I BELONG … … … to Him, His Church, His Mission” Part 2

We all long to BELONG! We try so very hard to find a home for our hearts, a sanctuary for our souls.

What does it mean to “Belong to His Church!”

What is the Church?

“Today the church, as an institution, gets a lot of negative press. Some see the church as an organization that abuses people or has some political agenda. This is certainly a different picture than what Jesus drew for His disciples when He described a church that would “prevail against the gates of hell and become the hope for the world.” The Alpha Team Guide

Church – “ekklesia” – the called out ones The church is people! Matthew 16 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Five Helpful New Testament Descriptions

1) FRIENDS

John 1513 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

“koinovia” – deep, trusting, transparent friendship

2) FAMILY

1 John 3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

3) HOME

Ephesians 217 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

The church is where people are loved, accepted and welcomed home!

4) JESUS

1 Corinthians 12 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many…. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

We are the body of Christ through whom the world will see Jesus!

5) LOVE

Ephesians 5 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. …… 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

John 1334 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

A Prayer of BELONGING

Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in You, to be renewed in You! I need union with You! Father, I BELONG to You! Jesus, I BELONG to You! Holy Spirit, I BELONG to You! I now confess and proclaim that if I BELONG to You Jesus then I BELONG to Your Church! Thank you for loving me when You didn’t have to, when I didn’t love you back. Thank you for calling me to love others even when they are hard to love. Thank you for giving me a place of BELONGING in Your Church. I recommit my life to playing my vital role in Your Church with Your FRIENDS, as part of Your FAMILY, being Your HOME that is Your BODY soaked and soaking one another in Your LOVE!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for Your Church!

Amen

How could a group of people living like this change the world?

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 16:13-20 Tue – 1 John 1:3, 4:7-12 Wed – John 15:13-17 Thu – Ephesians 2:17-22 Fri – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Sat - Ephesians 5:25-32

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

New Book Recommendation from Pastor Weiser, “Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 24, 2021

Point of Grace Online Worship 1.24.21

Sermon Notes – “I BELONG … … … to Him, His Church, His Mission” Part 1 – DO I BELONG?

We all long to BELONG!

We try so very hard to find a home for our hearts, a sanctuary for our souls.

Luke 15 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Jesus reveals the Father’s heart, “We all BELONG to Him.”

We are born estranged and rebellious; now cruel imposters constantly lure us away promising “belonging”! And we are broken enough to follow – “self” trying to find belonging for “itself”. A recipe for pain.

But our Father knows where we BELONG and who we BELONG to. He runs for us … to cloak us with “BELONGING”.

John 154 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

When I am not where I BELONG I will not be able to “do” what I was meant to do.

6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

I BELONG to HIM!

- Is a reality offered freely to me, bought and paid for by Jesus and received by faith.

- Now, by faith, empowered by His Spirit, I get to live like I BELONG to Him each day, every day, all day.

Now what?

I will not be naïve – the forces of the devil, the world and my sinful nature are all marshalled against my believing I BELONG to HIM and especially against my living like I BELONG to HIM.

Living like I BELONG to HIM means ordering my daily life in such a way so I have consistent connection with Him, His Spirit, His Word and His Love!

A Prayer of BELONGING

Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in You, to be renewed in You! I need union with You! Father, I BELONG to You! Jesus, I BELONG to You! Holy Spirit, I BELONG to You! Holy Trinity - I love You, I worship You, I trust You, I give myself over to You in my heart’s search for life! Saturate me with Your love, saturate me with Your life. I need more of You Jesus, more of You! Thank you for loving me when you didn’t have to, when I didn’t love you back. I now return to You. I bring my spirit soul and body, my heart, my mind and my will – whole being to You – I am in Your hands and Your heart because I BELONG to You!

Thank you Father, Thank you Jesus, Thank you Spirit. Fill me afresh with You!

Amen

How could a group of people living like this change the world?

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Luke 15:1-10 Tue – Luke 15:11-32 Wed – John 15:4-11 Thu – John 15:16-27 Fri – Philippians 3:7-11 Sat - Psalm 100

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

New Book Recommendation from Pastor Weiser, “Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace Online Worship - January 17, 2021

Point of Grace Online Worship         1.17.21  

Sermon Notes – “Identity Under Attack-2021” – The Temptation of Jesus

 Identity is everything?  Affects everything?  Is the bullseye for the enemy of your soul?

 Matthew 4

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 
3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

 Helpful Insights:

·       This is a continuous narrative from the baptism account.  The chapter break is unfortunate.

·       We get a picture of who Jesus is up against by the names used,

     Devil, diablo, slanderer – vs. 1,5,8,11
     Tempter – vs.3
     Satan, adversary – vs. 10

·       The connection between Israel history and Jesus’ journey. 
Israel failed to be faithful to their identity as God’s son – Will Jesus?

First Temptation

3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

What is the “false choice based on a false assumption”?    (The devil is very good at this strategy.)

Jesus responds as a person who has a close, personal union (identity) with God as a Heavenly Father! 

His identity as Son means He uses his ability according to His Father’s will not to take care of self. 

Second Temptation

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

What is the “false choice based on a false assumption”?   

Jesus responds as a person who has a close, personal union (identity) with God as a Heavenly Father! 

His identity as Son means He has no need to test whether God is for him. 
His role is to trust the Father not test whether He will come through.

Third Temptation

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

What is the “false choice based on a false assumption”?   

Jesus responds as a person who has a close, personal union (identity) with God as a Heavenly Father! 

His identity as Son means He has one Father in Heaven and He only is worthy worship. 
Jesus will trust the Father to give “kingdoms, authority and splendor” when and if He chooses. 
Satan is offering a path to “rewards worthy of a king’s son” without traveling the way of the cross.

Jesus overcomes Satan as He relentlessly clings, as a man, to His identity, “This is my Son, whom I love, in Him I am well pleased”

We overcome Satan as well… not by performing as well as Jesus…
but by having identity and living in union with the One who won! 

How could a group of people living like this change the world?

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week.
The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon –  Matthew 4:1-11
Tue –   Luke 4:1-13
Wed – John 8:33-47
Thu –  John 8:48-59
Fri –   Ephesians 6:10-20
Sat  - Psalm 23

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!  I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?”  Talk about what you notice is on your heart.  Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you. 

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps:   “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

New Book Recommendation from Pastor Weiser, “Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge